I think the elements were all in our favor
this time around....the beach, the water, the temperatures....everything
was just about all you could have wished for........
We began our trek down to Florida at 5 o'clock AM.
There was a thunderstorm going on in our drive
all the way to Alabama.
So this was a stressful beginning to our vacation to say the least.
We were a bit nervous on how Mae would make the journey,
but she surprised all of us by being a real trooper....
she took notice of something a bit strange
as we drove through the tunnel in Mobile......
The excitement begins as we turn the corner onto the bridge
taking us over to Santa Rosa Island.....
oh baby, baby......pitter patter goes our heartbeats....
We have arrived.....just in time for the cocktail hour!
This is everyone's favorite time......the sun begins to set
and we are finally here!
Our first trip was 2007 and here we are ten years later Mr. Wonderful......
it's all so grand!
Oh the thrill when your toes first feel those gulf waves.....
We were all in agreement.....the water never, ever looked so beautiful.
Smiles all around.....tired travelers suddenly
feel energized!
Mae Mobley loved every minute....she loved, loved, loved
all of her views in the house.....
The best part of our vacations are doing nothing at all....
no schedules, no watches....just watching the ocean ........
I love hearing the waves and the muffled sounds of people laughing
and enjoying their families....
My darling and me......now in our mid-sixties....
I fell in love with him when I was sixteen ...
he is an amazing husband, father and grandfather!
We only experienced one afternoon of rain which
is so unusual for a week down by the gulf......
it was an afternoon of napping.....
We have enjoyed a few great family dinners at this table.....
Mae was fascinated by the views and the smells.....
her little pink nose was twitching away.....
Jenn enjoyed her HUGE swan float......
I managed to catch every sunrise....each one more spectacular than the last....
We all had an amazing view of the eclipse.....
and enjoyed Mimosa's in honor of the event!
We all loved the paddle board, even me...
but Jenn proved to be the one who managed to stand and
paddle all over the place......
Bo was a perfect gentleman....
he loved the dog beach and showed no fear of the ocean waves...
Sand like sugar and water like sea glass....
We drove all the way down to Rosemary Beach and believe me...
the water is this color...it's spectacular!
The last morning sunrise....
calm waters, nothing but the seagulls and
a short time to be reflective and thankful......
GREAT GREAT VACATION 2017
Ahhhh...what a lovely week you all enjoyed. Relaxing family times at the beach. Whenever life gets too hectic this year, you can come right back to this post and enjoy that time all over again. A wonderful photo of you and your Beloved together on the beach. (Glad that Miss Mae was such a good vacationer, too.)
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Vee for visiting today and leaving such sweet comments. I do hope you enjoyed your summer..let's get excited for fall, shall we?
DeleteBetsy, Your family is beautiful. I loved seeing all the wonderful photos. That sand is amazing. Glad the pets did well. We did not get to enjoy our eclipse here of all times...it clouded over. But I will be ready for the next one is a few years. You are a beauty in your floral sundress. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Susie...the beach was just fantastic....thank you for such kind comments and for stopping by today. Are you as ready for fall as I am? Have a lovely week ahead!
DeleteIt was relaxing just looking at your pictures. You all seem to know just what you're doing and how to enjoy every part of your vacation. Your movie star gorgeousness really shows in the picture with your husband - there's nothing like long-time romance, is there? I love your floral sundress.
ReplyDeleteYou are a love for leaving such sweet comments....yes, we do love the beach so....thank you for visiting today and I hope you have had a lovely summer!
DeleteFrom one beach lover to another, your photos are lovely! I feel such a peace when I'm near the ocean, gulf, beach. I adore the beautiful photo of you and your sweetheart. You should frame it!! I hope all is well back at home. Thinking of you Texans. ♥
ReplyDeleteI know you are loving beach vacations also Martha Ellen..there is nothing more relaxing, yet afterward....exhausting. I so hope you have enjoyed your summer months and are excited about the coming fall....hugs from me to you!
Deleteoh this made the wait worthwhile! a beautiful post full of beautiful people and such pictures!
ReplyDeleteand I love that bo and sweet little mae were included as the family in fur that they truly are.
bo living up to his water-loving lab ways! and miss mae on your husband's lap sniffing all there is to sniff about the sea! kitty heaven.
I think I prefer the european term 'holiday' to our word for it. somehow the word vacation just doesn't bring the same feeling!
and dear betsy ... you do a FINE holiday! XOXO♥
Hi Tammy...hope this finds you well and happy. Indeed "HOLIDAY" is a great term for rest and relaxation....either way...it is good to make the most of every minute. We were fortunate to be able to go....hope you have had a great summer...are you looking forward to fall?
DeleteYour vacation looked very close to perfect and the picture of you and the darling is just that darling. It is frame worthy. So nice to be able to get together. I hope when you arrive home that you haven't had any damage from the rains. I have been watching it on CNN but never havinng been to Texas, I am not sure of the area you live in conjunction with the floods. Great memories last a lifetime and make us feel warm and fuzzy when the snow starts.
ReplyDeleteThank you Patricia...it was just a little bit of heaven...how has your summer been? Hope you enjoyed the most of it as we turn the page to autumn! Houston is down along the coastline of Texas where the storm has hit....heavy destruction....we are way north of Dallas. Let's all send a prayer to our fellow Texans and the poor defenseless animals...
DeleteYour beach vacations always look so wonderful! We were just at friends' today and they had a gigantic blow-up pink flamingo (like the swan in your picture). That Mae is one serious laid back cat. I can't imagine travelling with either one of ours. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenn...I think I may have to buy the flamingo for next summer....they are so fun..hope you have had a marvelous summer.
DeleteI love your beach week and thought of you every day! I recognized that tunnel from our recent trip to Gulf Shores. You take the BEST beach photos ever!!! I dearly love the one of you and your darling!
ReplyDeleteThe Mobile tunnel is tricky...often backed up for two hours or more....so glad y'all were able to take a beach vacation this year...it's always a blessing to be able to go. Have a wonderful week Linda.
DeletePerfection!!!! WHAT a sweet sweet sight of all of you enjoying your beach time!!! Looks like ya'll had good weather and the waters looked glorious! I've not yet explored rosemary beach but plan to soon!
ReplyDeleteGlad your girl didn't float off to the edge of the world with her big swan..!!
Rains have just begun here and we fear for dreaded flooding that is heading our way...may God bless Houston and surrounding areas. another indication that none of our world is in our control....and people better realize there is so much more important things than being ugly to one another. ooops...off my soapbox now!
YOUR VACATION LOOKED SO FUN BEING SURROUNDED BY FAMILY!!!!
We had a marvelous time Janey...we even stayed an extra day that was not scheduled...even though we were missing two families this time around. Hope you are going to be ok without any flooding damage..please stay safe.
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